Fire Pit Device

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for arranging logs within a fire pit comprises a base section arranged to fit within a fire pit, a central post extending from the base section and a cradling area of the central post for supporting a top end of a log. Arms extend from the central post defining the cradle area. The arms extend outwardly and upwardly from a top end of the post such that the top end of the log is supported between each respective arm. The logs are situated so that the log extends downwardly and outwardly to a bottom end of the log at the base section so that the logs are arranged in a tepee fashion.

This invention relates to fire pit device arranged to hold logs in a tepee arrangement particularly suitable for combustion with air flowing upwardly between the logs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following prior documents relate to this subject: U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,713 has a circular base having outwardly curved vertical support posts. Each is post connected to the next with a horizontal support member at the respective top ends acting as a cradle for vertically positioned logs in a tepee position. However, this patent does not show a vertical post supporting outwardly mounted arms which are arranged to cradle a log in a tepee fashion.

U.S. Patent D209,258 has metal rods, rebar, which holds logs horizontally.

U.S. Patent D517,681 has vertical posts extending from a base extended inwardly from bottom to top being arranged in a tepee manner which the logs rest on. The apparatus is formed in a tepee manner.

Other patents include U.S. Pat. No. 2,875,968, U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,108, U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,198, U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,762, U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,465, U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,724, U.S. Design Patent D343,450, U.S. Design Patent 477,062 and U.S. Design Patent D517,680.

None of the above patents have the same arrangement of rods for holding logs in a tepee arrangement.

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for arranging logs within a fire pit comprises;

a generally planar base section arranged to fit within a fire pit;

an upstanding central post extending from the base section;

a plurality of outwardly and upwardly extending arms arranged at spaced positions around the post for defining a cradling area of the central post for supporting a top end of a plurality of logs in a tepee formation.

Preferably the arms extend from an inner end of each arm at the central post with the outer ends of the arms defining the cradle area.

Preferably the arms extend outwardly and upwardly from a position at or adjacent to an upper end of the post such that the upper end of the log is supported between each respective arm and the next.

Preferably the arms are arranged so that the logs are situated so that each log extends downwardly and outwardly to a bottom end of the log at the base section so that the logs are arranged in a tepee fashion.

Preferably the base is formed from rails which can be collapsed inwardly of the base for transportation.

Preferably the arms are mounted in sleeves or holes provided on the post which can allow the arms to be removed for collapse of the components for transportation.

Preferably the post comprises a tube which is applied over a stub shaft carried on the base.

Preferably the arms are mounted in holes extending transversely across the tube.

Preferably the tube is square in cross-section and the holes are formed in each face.

Preferably the base is formed of a plurality of flat straps connected at ends of the straps and wherein each strap is twisted to form a vertical portion acting as a manually engageable handle

As described in more detail hereinafter the apparatus for arranging logs within a fire pit comprises a base section arranged to fit within a fire pit, a central post extending from the base section and a cradling area of the central post for supporting a top end of a log. Arms extend from the central post defining the cradle area. The arms extend outwardly and upwardly from a top end of the post such that the top end of the log is supported between each respective arm. The logs are situated so that the log extends downwardly and outwardly to a bottom end of the log at the base section so that the logs are arranged in a tepee fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view a first embodiment of fire pit device of the invention

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view a second embodiment of fire pit device of the invention

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 3. In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A fire pit device 1 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The fire pit device is arranged to support logs 3 in a fire pit 5. The arrangement of logs supported on the device is held so that the logs are fashioned into a tepee shape. A tepee shape, as commonly known, has a bottom section 7 of vertically arranged members spaced apart forming a circular shape. The vertically arranged members extend upwardly and inwardly such that the spacing of the vertical members at a top section 9 have a closer relationship in regards to spacing from each other than in the bottom section.

It is commonly known that in a fire pit, an arrangement of logs in a tepee manner provides a larger more consistent flame than simply placing the logs horizontally in the pit. The flame is more appealing to look at and produces more heat for the people sitting around the pit.

The device 1 provides cradles 11 which supports each log near the top section such that the logs can be supported in a tepee fashion within the fire pit.

The device comprises of a base 13, having four side sections 15 of equal length. Each side is connected at the respective end to the next side forming a square shaped base. The base is sized to fit within a standard fire pit. Extending from two of the sides across the middle of the base is a centre post support 17.

Attached at the centre of the post support is a vertical post member 19. The post extends vertically from the support at a central location. The post is of sufficient length so as to be able to support the length of the logs intended to be placed in the fire pit on the device.

A plurality of cradle arms 21 extend outwardly from an upper section 20 of the post. The device, as illustrated shows, four cradle arms, each extending from the post outwardly and upwardly at an angle sufficient to support logs. The arms are mounted at a first end 23 to the post and a second end 25 of the arm located outwardly and upwards from the first end. Each arm, is positioned such that between each adjacent arm is cradling area 27 of the cradle 11. The top end of the log is then positioned to be supported in the cradling area and the bottom end of the log positioned downwardly and outwardly from the post such that the logs are arranged in a tepee manner.

The base is formed from rails 13, 15 connected at corners to form a square base member with a cross rail 17 at the center, all of which can be separated by joining members or pins connecting each rail to the next to allow diagonal collapse of the base for transportation.

The arms can be mounted in supports or collars (not shown) carried on the post which can allow the arms to be released from the post for collapse of the components for transportation. The arms are of the same length and arranged at equidistantly spaced angles around the post.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 is shown a similar arrangement which is constructed to allow easier manufacture and easier collapse for transportation.

In this arrangement the post 41 is formed of a square hollow tube which sits with a bottom end over a stub shaft 42 attached to the center dross-member 48 of the base 40. In this way the tube 41 can be readily removed with the base 40 thus forming a generally planar member for transportation. When assembled with the bottom of the tube over the stub shaft, the base is arranged for lying on the ground in the fire pit with a horizontal bottom surface.

The use of the hollow tube allows the pins or rods 44 to be inserted through holes 43 drilled transversely to the tube. In this way four rods are provided each extending through a a respective face of the square tube so as to be arranged at 90 degree spacing around the post.

The holes 43 are drilled at an angle to the horizontal base plane so that the rods when inserted are inclined upwardly and outwardly. This allows basically a total of four logs to be cradled with each located between one rod and the next.

The rods are reduced in diameter at end portions 45 commencing at a line 46 so as to allow simple insertion through the holes with the larger diameter of the rod above the line 46 preventing the rod from sliding through. The rods are also rounded at the outer ends 47.

The rails 49 and 50 of the base are flat straps lying in the base plane where the straps are twisted at a position part way along their length through 90 degrees to form vertical portions 51. These allow the fingers of the user to grasp the straps 49 and 50 when collapsed by moving the pins 55 and 56 of the base 40 apart while folding the pins 53 and 54 together to form an elongate member for easy transportation.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 

1. Apparatus for arranging logs within a fire pit comprises; a generally planar base section arranged to fit within a fire pit; an upstanding central post extending from the base section; a plurality of outwardly and upwardly extending arms arranged at spaced positions around the post for defining a cradling area of the central post for supporting a top end of a plurality of logs in a tepee formation.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the arms extend from an inner end of each arm at the central post with the outer ends of the arms defining the cradle area.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the arms extend outwardly and upwardly from a position at or adjacent to an upper end of the post such that the upper end of the log is supported between each respective arm and the next.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the arms are arranged so that the logs are situated so that each log extends downwardly and outwardly to a bottom end of the log at the base section so that the logs are arranged in a tepee fashion.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the base is formed from rails which can be collapsed inwardly of the base for transportation.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the arms are mounted in sleeves or holes provided on the post which can allow the arms to be removed for collapse of the components for transportation.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the post comprises a tube which is applied over a stub shaft carried on the base.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the arms are mounted in holes extending transversely across the tube.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tube is square in cross-section and the holes are formed in each face.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the base is formed of a plurality of flat straps connected at ends of the straps and wherein each strap is twisted to form a vertical portion acting as a manually engageable handle. 